Bengaluru Doctor Case Escalates: Police Investigate Propofol Evidence, Third Party Involvement

Police investigating the April 2025 death of 28-year-old dermatologist Dr Kritika M Reddy uncovered a major development on October 16, 2025, as her husband, Dr Mahendra Reddy G S, denied ever administering the lethal anaesthetic propofol, prompting authorities to probe his potential ties to another woman as a hidden motive. Dr Kritika, who succumbed on April 24 at the couple's Gunjur residence shortly after their February wedding, was initially treated for gastroenteritis when Mahendra allegedly injected her with an overdose of the intravenous drug under the guise of medical aid. Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) reports confirming propofol in her viscera elevated the case from unnatural death to murder, leading to Mahendra's arrest earlier this week in Manipal, Udupi district, and his subsequent remand to nine days of police custody in Bengaluru.

The investigation, led by the Gunjur police station under the Whitefield traffic police limits, intensified following the spot inspection (mahazar) at the couple's home, where officers seized laptops, mobile phones, and other electronic gadgets for digital forensic analysis at the FSL. Mahendra, a 31-year-old surgical resident at the Institute of Gastroenterology Sciences and Organ Transplant (IGOT) in Bengaluru, has remained evasive during interrogation, repeatedly asserting he "never gave anaesthesia" despite evidence suggesting he procured the drug through his professional access.

A senior officer revealed, “Mahendra is tight-lipped. He claims he never administered the drug. We are still investigating.” The probe now extends to verifying rumours of Mahendra's extramarital involvement, with police scrutinising call records and messages to determine if personal discord precipitated the fatal injection.

Dr Kritika's family, devastated by the loss of the young specialist who had recently joined a private clinic, lodged the initial complaint suspecting foul play after Mahendra's inconsistent explanations of her sudden collapse. Gastroenteritis, the cited ailment, is typically managed with oral medications rather than potent anaesthetics like propofol, which is used for sedation in surgeries and carries high overdose risks, including respiratory failure.

Another officer noted, “Gastroenteritis is not a major health issue—we suspect he is concealing the real reason.” The case echoes rising concerns over intimate partner violence in medical communities, where professional knowledge can mask lethal intent, as seen in similar incidents across India in recent years.

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As the investigation unfolds, authorities aim to reconstruct the timeline of Mahendra's actions, including how he obtained the restricted anaesthetic outside hospital protocols. The FSL report, pivotal in reclassifying the death, underscores forensic science's role in unravelling hidden crimes. Dr Kritika's family has urged swift justice, while women's rights groups highlight the need for heightened vigilance in high-stress professions like medicine.

With Mahendra's custody set to expire soon, police anticipate breakthroughs from device forensics that could solidify charges of premeditated murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code.

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